WTVM.com and WTVM News Leader 9, Columbus, GA | Traffic stop turns into melee

Traffic stop turns into melee

By Lindsey Connell - bio | email | Twitter

QUITMAN COUNTY, GA (WTVM) - Things were quiet in downtown Georgetown Friday- a stark contrast to the night before.

It all started with a traffic stop at the Marathon gas station, part of what police say is an ongoing drug investigation.

Things suddenly exploded when punches were exchanged between sheriff's deputies and the suspects.

In gas station surveillance video, you can see the initial blows being thrown and bystanders getting involved.

"While they were questioning the suspects, several people came to the stop and actually assaulted the deputies. A fight ensued. The deputies took about four people into custody," said Quitman County Sheriff Steve Newton.

Police say things went from bad to worse when the deputies brought the suspects back to their office down the street.

By that point, a crowd of about 100 people had gathered and tensions were running high.

"Several people attacked the deputies as they were trying to get the folks into the courthouse. One deputy was actually on the ground and had three people on top of him hitting him when other deputies pulled the people off of him and come to their aid," Newton explained.

But residents who were there say the small scale riot got out of hand. Some are claiming the police used too much force.

"They got out of the car with shotguns out. I don't understand that. That was ridiculous. They really went too far. Nobody in the street had guns. We weren't even a threat. We were on the sidewalk. I've never seen anything like this in my life," said resident Jeaneatha Dyer.

"I hated to see this happen like this. I hate it. It didn't have to be like this. I think it was blown out of proportion," Johnny Freeman, another resident, said.

The sheriff says his deputies were outnumbered and acted accordingly. When it comes to the department's crackdown on drugs, He says his force is not backing down.

"We've decided we're going to take a stand and get the drug dealers off the streets and we're going to continue to enforce the drug laws," Newton added.

Two Quitman County Sheriff's deputies were treated for minor injuries at the Barbour County Medical Center and later released.

As for the car that was originally pulled over, police say evidence was found and the car seized.

We're told more charges and arrests are expected to come out of the incident.

©2009 WTVM. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.